The laws of Kosher slaughter must be performed by or under the supervision of a competent person. The knife must be smooth so as to spare the animal pain.

1:1 All may slaughter and what they slaughter is valid, except a deaf-mute, an imbecile, and a minor, lest they incorrectly slaughter. But if any of these slaughtered in the presence of others, what they slaughtered is valid. Whatever is slaughtered by Gentiles is carrion,¹²⁷ and it transmits impurity by being carried.¹²⁸ One who slaughtered at night, and in the same way a blind man who slaughtered, what he slaughtered is fit. One who slaughtered on the Sabbath or on the Day of Atonement, although he is liable for his life, what he slaughtered is fit.

1:2 One who slaughtered with a hand sickle, flint, or reed, what he slaughtered is fit. All may slaughter at any time and with any implement except a scythe, a saw, teeth, or fingernails, since these choke the animal by mangling the windpipe rather than cutting it. One who slaughtered with a scythe, drawing the blade backwards, the House of Shammai declares it unfit, but the House of Hillel declares it fit. If the teeth of the scythe are filed down, then it is like a knife.

126. Trans. S. Berrin.

127. It is considered like an animal that had died a natural death and therefore is not kosher.

128. Cf. Lev. 11:40.